The 196th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia

Convention tabled the following proposed canonical change for further study and presentation of a revised change at the next convention. This text remains online for reference:

Congregation at Risk

Purpose

(a) In the exceptional case of a Congregation whose spiritual and temporal health appears in jeopardy, the episcopate needs to intervene or provide oversight so that health may be restored to the Congregation while respecting the self-governing responsibilities of a parish of The Episcopal Church. In cases where an inquiry is initiated and where a Congregation is declared at risk, it shall be the duty of all parties to work and pray toward the resolution of such problems in a climate of respect and charity so that the Congregation may be restored to spiritual and temporal health.

Conditions Leading to Determination of a Congregation at Risk

(b) No declaration of a Congregation at Risk may be made except upon an inquiry and finding that three or more of the following conditions exist in the Congregation:

1. Two consecutive years of 10% or more decline in average Sunday attendance.
2. Two consecutive years of 10% or more decline in financial support from congregants.
3. The failure to elect a Vestry or to elect a Rector or accept the Bishop’s appointment of a Vicar or Priest-in-Charge.
4. The failure to pay the minimum Clergy Compensation as required by Diocesan guidelines; or the failure in a timely manner to make the required contributions to the Church Pension Fund or to pay health insurance premiums for its clergy.
5. The failure to send Congregational Delegates to the Diocesan Annual Convention.
6. The failure to complete and submit the annual Parochial Report in a given year.
7. The failure for two consecutive years to contribute to the Diocese its annual tithe or the appeal percentage granted to the Congregation by Diocesan Council.
8. Instability or decline in its financial condition, as evidenced, but not exclusively, by the use of 10% or more of the principal portion of endowment or trust funds, or funding 10% or more of the annual operating budget from savings or reserves for two consecutive years.

Inquiry for Purposes of Restoration of Congregational Health

(c) An inquiry by the Ecclesiastical Authority leading to a declaration of a Congregation at Risk under this Canon may be initiated through one of the following ways:

1. The Rector or Vicar or Priest-in-Charge, or both Wardens, or a majority of the Vestry, believing that three or more of the conditions exist, shall petition the Bishop to initiate such inquiry; or the Standing Committee, if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority.
2. The Bishop, believing three or more of the conditions exist, may initiate such inquiry.
3. The Standing Committee, believing that three or more of the conditions exist, may petition the Bishop to initiate such inquiry; or if the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical Authority, it may initiate such inquiry by a majority vote.

(d) Upon proper initiation as provided in (c) above, the Ecclesiastical Authority may, itself or acting through its representatives, conduct an inquiry into the condition of the Congregation. The Rector, Vicar, or Priest-in-Charge and Vestry of the Congregation that is the subject of such inquiry shall cooperate in the inquiry under this Canon, including providing full and accurate information on the state of the Congregation and its affairs. Failure to reasonably cooperate shall be sufficient to declare that the Congregation is a Congregation at Risk.

(e) Upon a finding by a ¾ majority of the Standing Committee, after giving the rector and vestry notice and an opportunity to be heard that the Congregation is designated a Congregation at Risk, the Bishop, or the Standing Committee if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority, may initiate one or more of the following measures to restore the health of the Congregation:

1. Arrange for pastoral discussions to be held between the Bishop, or the Standing Committee if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority, and/or their representatives and the Rector or Vicar or Priest-in-Charge and Vestry of the Congregation that address the conditions that are inhibiting its health and mission.
2. Develop a plan for the Congregation to address those conditions that led to the declaration of a Congregation at Risk. The Rector or Vicar or Priest-in-Charge and Vestry of the Congregation have 30 days to respond to the Bishop, or the Standing Committee if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority, concerning the plan before it is presented to the Standing Committee, which must by a ¾ majority of the Standing Committee approve the plan before it can be enacted.
3. Appointment by the Bishop, or the Standing Committee if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority, with the concurrence of a ¾ majority of the Standing Committee, of three or more Trustees to exercise the rights and functions of a Vestry, during the pendency of these conditions. Said Trustees may or may not be members of the Congregation.
4. Designation of a Priest-in-Charge during the pendency of the conditions leading to the designation of a Congregation at Risk. Said Priest may or may not be the incumbent.
5. Such other measures, during the pendency of these conditions, as the Bishop, with the concurrence of a ¾ majority of the Standing Committee, shall determine, or by a ¾ majority of the Standing Committee, if it is the Ecclesiastical Authority.